The Tiananmen Square Protest/Massacre- Non-violent protests were held at Tiananmen Square by Chinese students wishing for a more democratic government, instead of their communist ways. The protests began with a march by students in memory of former party leader Hu Yaobang. The Chinese government responded with brutal attacks made by the Chinese Military. Thousands of students were gunned down and tanks began to take over the Square as students were threatened to leave immediately. Numerous amounts of tanks entered Tiananmen only to be intruded by one man holding onto his groceries. The man stood ahead of the tanks failing to move. The man stood up for what he believed in as change and stop was need in China. The man became an icon, a hero, and a legend during the Tiananmen Square protests.
Give two reasons why you selected this topic.
I selected this topic as it proves to be very inspirational to me and the lives of others. It proves to be inspirational as the students of China rose together to try and bring change to China. I also picked this topic due to the fact that under a totalitarian rule us as human can act in an inhumane way. When brought upon a situation of conflict, our first instinct is to act out in a way of violence.
3. To what specific course(s) does your topic relate? Explain.
This topic relates to the courses of History and Socials Studies as it has to do with political issues.
4. Determine whether the primary focus of the issue is cultural, resource, economic, environmental or political. Explain your decision.
The primary focus of the issue is strictly political as Chinese students fight to try and gain a pure form of democracy, instead of remaining under the rule of communism.
5. Recreate the following chart on a separate piece of paper. Using the following “K-W-L Organizer”, recall what you already know about your topic, organize any new ideas, ask questions and record your learning.
K: What I Know about the Topic
W: What I want to Know about the Topic
L: What I have Learned about the Topic from Preliminary Reading / Courses Studied
Thousands of students were killed during the protest. Fighting against communism in order to gain a pure form of democracy
Why was it necessary to strike in an act of violence and what was proved?
The protest began with a march by Chinese students in memory of Hu Yaobang who died just a week before.
6. Based on your prior knowledge and studies, what are three important themes or issues pertinent to this topic? Outline and explain.
1) Communism vs. Democracy in China
2) Acting out in violence when conflict arises (Action over thought)
3) Standing up for what you believe is right- Tank Man
7. Create TWO controversial questions about the topic that your thesis paper may answer.
1) What was morally accomplished by acting out in violence by killing civilians during the Tiananmen protests?
2) How has China's democratic government or views changed since the protest?
8. Using the “Evaluating Internet Resources Criteria” found at the following website: http://www.library.ubc.ca/home/evaluating/Easyprint.html find 3 resources on your topic on the web that fit the criteria of a valid Internet resource.
Developing a Hypothesis TOPIC: The attack of Tiananmen Square OVERVIEW OF TOPIC: The Tiananmen Square Protest was a non violent protest done by the students of China fighting against the Communist rule. The students of China were hoping for change in their country as they demanded democracy. The protest turned sour when the Chinese government responded to the protest with an open fire military attack. Thousands were killed as students were forced to flee the square. Some students stayed and fought for what they believed it. CONTROVERSIAL QUESTION(S) REGARDING TOPIC: Why is it that when under a totalitarian rule, a ruler must act out in a way of violence when challenged? What more is accomplished when you act out in violence? HYPOTHESIS: The leadership of China ordered a military attack on the people in Tiananmen Square due to the fear of being overrun by a democratic government. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: You should have a minimum of TWO (2) questions of each type for your research. These questions should be clear and relate to your hypothesis. Remember, they should guide you in your research not confuse you. Factual Questions Who were the Chinese students protesting in memory of? Who was the one who initiated the attack on the civilians of China? Ø Clarification Questions Where were the attacks on the civilians taken place? What was the purpose of the attack made by the PLA? Ø Interpretive Questions Why is it that some students and civilians of China decided to stay and fight and others ran away? Was “tank man” someone who changed the future of China in the political spectrum?
Ø Inquiry Questions What other options were considered by Deng instead of the “clearing of the square” attack on the people of China? How has China’s democratic government or views changed since the attack at Tiananmen?
STEP 1: TOPIC SELECTION
What is your topic? Give a brief overview.
The Tiananmen Square Protest/Massacre- Non-violent protests were held at Tiananmen Square by Chinese students wishing for a more democratic government, instead of their communist ways. The protests began with a march by students in memory of former party leader Hu Yaobang. The Chinese government responded with brutal attacks made by the Chinese Military. Thousands of students were gunned down and tanks began to take over the Square as students were threatened to leave immediately. Numerous amounts of tanks entered Tiananmen only to be intruded by one man holding onto his groceries. The man stood ahead of the tanks failing to move. The man stood up for what he believed in as change and stop was need in China. The man became an icon, a hero, and a legend during the Tiananmen Square protests.
Give two reasons why you selected this topic.
I selected this topic as it proves to be very inspirational to me and the lives of others. It proves to be inspirational as the students of China rose together to try and bring change to China. I also picked this topic due to the fact that under a totalitarian rule us as human can act in an inhumane way. When brought upon a situation of conflict, our first instinct is to act out in a way of violence.
3. To what specific course(s) does your topic relate? Explain.
This topic relates to the courses of History and Socials Studies as it has to do with political issues.
4. Determine whether the primary focus of the issue is cultural, resource, economic, environmental or political. Explain your decision.
The primary focus of the issue is strictly political as Chinese students fight to try and gain a pure form of democracy, instead of remaining under the rule of communism.
5. Recreate the following chart on a separate piece of paper. Using the following “K-W-L Organizer”, recall what you already know about your topic, organize any new ideas, ask questions and record your learning.
K: What I Know about the Topic
W: What I want to Know about the Topic
L: What I have Learned about the Topic from Preliminary Reading / Courses Studied
Fighting against communism in order to gain a pure form of democracy
6. Based on your prior knowledge and studies, what are three important themes or issues pertinent to this topic? Outline and explain.
1) Communism vs. Democracy in China
2) Acting out in violence when conflict arises (Action over thought)
3) Standing up for what you believe is right- Tank Man
7. Create TWO controversial questions about the topic that your thesis paper may answer.
1) What was morally accomplished by acting out in violence by killing civilians during the Tiananmen protests?
2) How has China's democratic government or views changed since the protest?
8. Using the “Evaluating Internet Resources Criteria” found at the following website: http://www.library.ubc.ca/home/evaluating/Easyprint.html find 3 resources on your topic on the web that fit the criteria of a valid Internet resource.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/4/newsid_2496000/2496277.stm
http://cryptome.org/cn/tk/tiananmen-kill.htm
http://www.takepart.com/news/2010/06/04/little-known-facts-about-the-tiananmen-square-protests
STEP 3
Developing a HypothesisTOPIC:
The attack of Tiananmen Square
OVERVIEW OF TOPIC:
The Tiananmen Square Protest was a non violent protest done by the students of China fighting against the Communist rule. The students of China were hoping for change in their country as they demanded democracy. The protest turned sour when the Chinese government responded to the protest with an open fire military attack. Thousands were killed as students were forced to flee the square. Some students stayed and fought for what they believed it.
CONTROVERSIAL QUESTION(S) REGARDING TOPIC:
Why is it that when under a totalitarian rule, a ruler must act out in a way of violence when challenged?
What more is accomplished when you act out in violence?
HYPOTHESIS:
The leadership of China ordered a military attack on the people in Tiananmen Square due to the fear of being overrun by a democratic government.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
You should have a minimum of TWO (2) questions of each type for your research. These questions should be clear and relate to your hypothesis. Remember, they should guide you in your research not confuse you.
Factual Questions
Who were the Chinese students protesting in memory of?
Who was the one who initiated the attack on the civilians of China?
Ø Clarification Questions
Where were the attacks on the civilians taken place?
What was the purpose of the attack made by the PLA?
Ø Interpretive Questions
Why is it that some students and civilians of China decided to stay and fight and others ran away?
Was “tank man” someone who changed the future of China in the political spectrum?
Ø Inquiry Questions
What other options were considered by Deng instead of the “clearing of the square” attack on the people of China?
How has China’s democratic government or views changed since the attack at Tiananmen?